Cotecna Hosts Breakfast Meeting Exploring the Value Behind Zimbabwe's CBCA Programme

Cotecna recently hosted a successful breakfast meeting themed "Behind the CBCA Curtain", bringing together government representatives, private sector stakeholders, importers, exporters, and industry partners to gain a deeper understanding of the Zimbabwe Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) Programme and its role within the country's broader quality ecosystem.

The event provided a unique opportunity to take participants behind the scenes of the CBCA process, offering insights into how conformity assessment contributes to product quality, consumer protection, fair competition, and the facilitation of compliant trade.

We were honoured by the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), names Dr Douglas Runyowa and Mrs Ratidzo Chokera, whose vision for strengthening Zimbabwe's National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) remains central to the country's industrialisation and economic development agenda. Discussions highlighted how programmes such as CBCA support this vision by helping ensure that products entering the Zimbabwean market meet applicable standards and regulatory requirements.

The breakfast also welcomed key stakeholders, including the Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ), the Southern African Chamber of Commerce in Zimbabwe, members of the private sector, clients, and industry leaders. Cotecna's leadership was represented by Lena Södergren, Vice President for Africa, Cedric Serre, Regional Manager, as well as colleagues from our South Africa and Kenya teams.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in constructive discussions on the importance of collaboration between government, regulators, conformity assessment bodies, and the private sector in building a strong and sustainable quality infrastructure that supports trade, consumer confidence, and economic growth.

As the service provider supporting the CBCA Programme, Cotecna remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and all stakeholders to contribute to the programme's objectives and Zimbabwe's long-term trade and quality ambitions.

We sincerely thank everyone who attended and contributed to the meaningful discussions.

For businesses seeking guidance on CBCA requirements or looking for a trusted partner in conformity assessment and trade facilitation services, Cotecna remains ready to support your compliance journey and help simplify your access to the Zimbabwean market.

Contact us now or download our free Zimbabwe CBCA Exporter Guide.

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.